The Lone Star College System board of trustees approved changes to LSCS’s sexual misconduct policy and authorized funding for equipment for the Lone Star College-Police Department among other actions at its meeting on April 5. The board unanimously approved every item on its agenda, which can be viewed here.

According to the meeting’s agenda, one of the updates included in LSCS’s new sexual misconduct policy grants students who disclose information regarding sexual misconduct with amnesty from various policy violations, such as alcohol or drug use. This measure is intended to encourage students to report sexual misconduct without the fear of punishment for infractions that come up during the course of the proceedings, officials said.

Approval of this agenda item also moved the section on sexual misconduct in LSCS’s policy manual to its own location. Prior to the item passing, the policy manual’s section on sexual misconduct was part of section that also covered assault, violence and discrimination. According to the meeting’s agenda, this move creates a single, convenient section that encompasses every aspect of LSCS’s sexual misconduct policy.

There were two items on the board’s agenda related to funding for the LSC-PD. The first agenda item authorized the purchase of portable radios, unit chargers, speaker microphones and other supplies for $146,119. The second item authorized the purchase of Tasers, holsters, battery packs and other supplies for $105,595.

After the board unanimously approved every item on its agenda, LSCS Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Mott presented the board with a financial report. Mott said LSCS’s revenues are trending lower than budgeted because enrollment is lower than expected. LSCS budgeted for a 3 percent increase in enrollment, but revenue from tuition and fees is relatively flat because of Hurricane Harvey.

Mott also told the board that estimated damages from Hurricane Harvey are around $39 million, most of which occurred at LSC-Kingwood. Mott said so far LSCS has filed $22.6 million in damages for reimbursement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The board’s next meeting is on May 3 at 5 p.m. at 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands.